(CNN) – Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as "Joe the Plumber," won Tuesday's Republican primary in Ohio's 9th Congressional District, according to unofficial vote results from the Ohio Secretary of State.

With 100% of precincts reporting, Wurzelbacher bested opponent Steven Kraus to become the GOP nominee and will face Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest serving woman in the House of Representatives, in the fall.– Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker

Kaptur defeated longtime Rep. Dennis Kucinich in a closely-watched Democratic primary Tuesday that pitted the two incumbents against each other after the state redrew its lines in a redistricting battle.

Wurzelbacher rose to GOP fame in 2008 when he challenged then-presidential candidate and Sen. Barack Obama over his small business tax plan.

The confrontation quickly became a popular anecdote in the presidential election and was frequently used as a campaign message by then-Republican presidential candidate and Sen. John McCain and his then-running mate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

The plumber-turned-celebrity has since capitalized on his popularity by writing a book and making media and campaign appearances.

soundoff(87 Responses)

The guy is not even a Plumber.....That was just GOP hype...He is just Sarah Palin without hair...Just as stupid but not as cute.

March 7, 2012 05:28 am at 5:28 am |

David

This just shows you how stupid the general population is. This guy is a complete tool.

March 7, 2012 05:38 am at 5:38 am |

Thomas

Samuel Wurzelbacher is more then qualified to lead the free world. What has he been doing the last for years ?

Pluming ?

March 7, 2012 05:39 am at 5:39 am |

Glennf

The current farcical congress needs one more fanatic. Heaven help us all...................

March 7, 2012 05:39 am at 5:39 am |

works4me

All of this comes out AFTER I have disposed of my Sarah Palin Barf Bags. Is this a messed up country or what? Come on people... show a little intelligence, huh? Just a sign that we have some backbone left, is all that we ask.

March 7, 2012 05:40 am at 5:40 am |

bluemold

It's amazing how brief and superficial notoriety is often confused with capability. He may know copper from PVC, but that doesn't qualify him for governance.

March 7, 2012 05:47 am at 5:47 am |

NotYouThankGod

I have a new found disrespect for Ohio.

March 7, 2012 05:51 am at 5:51 am |

Reality

So he is going to earn 250,000 per year by becoming a congress man, by fooling taxpayers and getting their money. If he cares so much about the taxpayers than he should work as congress man without any salary, that would really help taxpayers.

March 7, 2012 05:56 am at 5:56 am |

Please Grow Up

This "plumber" was the fellow who offered a phony name and phony business in order to discredit a presidential candidate, at a public forum wasn't he?

March 7, 2012 05:59 am at 5:59 am |

Jolly

Wow...they've elected a charlatan. Good for them. I'm all about electing 'real' Americans; however, Joe the Plumber is a less than serious candidate. I blame our educational system.

Jolly

March 7, 2012 06:00 am at 6:00 am |

Franny

Oh great just what we need another Tea Party know nothing!

March 7, 2012 06:04 am at 6:04 am |

John Johnson

What???? Time for this man to go away... Just like Palin.

March 7, 2012 06:08 am at 6:08 am |

Anonymous

"plumber turned celebrity" ?? He never was a plumber, he was some unemployed guy that used the media to become a celebrity.

March 7, 2012 06:15 am at 6:15 am |

Marie MD

Ohio is the big ticket in any race? What are these people living there, first class morons?
Of all the people. A liar, tax cheat and plant of the mccain campaign to make then candidate Obama say the same thing about spreading the wealth that mccain said at a college campus!!!

March 7, 2012 06:17 am at 6:17 am |

TheBossSaid

He is NOT a licensed plumber.

March 7, 2012 06:18 am at 6:18 am |

Rudy

Time for the stone cold stunner! Seriously Kucinich!?!?!? This Democracy is starting to look like a reality show.

March 7, 2012 06:23 am at 6:23 am |

Allen

Joe the plumber what's next nowhere to go we need help

March 7, 2012 06:24 am at 6:24 am |

Nitehawk1950

This gives new meaning to "scraping the bottom of the barrel" but then what better company can you have than those that make up the contents of the barrel. Way to go Pubs!

March 7, 2012 06:24 am at 6:24 am |

Doctah

Worked out well for McCain when this guy became a "symbol". Should work out again. Ha!

March 7, 2012 06:33 am at 6:33 am |

Enigma

Just one more reason why we can't take the GOP seriously!

March 7, 2012 06:33 am at 6:33 am |

Pat

hahaha a liar who never had any business is now the GOP politician. Very fitting. He chose the right party.

March 7, 2012 06:35 am at 6:35 am |

Mike

and what does he stand for, hopefully not another party liner that will do nothin gin Washington..............

March 7, 2012 06:37 am at 6:37 am |

stvnkrs10

No wonder LeBron left.

March 7, 2012 06:39 am at 6:39 am |

Robert

Joe wasn't a plumber. I love the way the truth gets lost for the sake of a good story.